Gunpoint Diplomacy

A boy playing with a toy gun is a familiar image in any culture, anywhere in the world. In Kashmir, of course, such an image manages to be both sinister and profoundly sad.

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India Today

New Delhi July 15, 2018

ISSUE DATE: July 23, 2018

UPDATED: July 15, 2018 07:52 IST

Photo: YAWAR NAZIR/ GETTY IMAGES

A boy playing with a toy gun is a familiar image in any culture, anywhere in the world. In Kashmir, of course, such an image manages to be both sinister and profoundly sad. On July 8, the day this picture was taken, separatists called a strike to mark the second anniversary of the death of Burhan Wani, a young commander in the Hizbul Mujahideen. The authorities responded by shutting everything down, including the Amarnath yatra, in parts of Srinagar, and Tral and Awantipora in Pulwama district, south Kashmir. There were fears of demonstrations declaring support for Wani. In any case, there had already been calls for a shutdown in the days leading up to the 'anniversary'. On July 6, separatist leader Asiya Andrabi and two colleagues were arrested by the National Investigation Agency and taken to Delhi, where they will be held in NIA custody until July 16. Just a day later, three civilians, including a teenage girl, were killed when the army apparently opened fire on a group of stone-throwing protesters.

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